Re: 'Aggivessana'

Dear Amara,

>Dear Jim et al,
>
>Christine was asking in one of her posts what 'Aggivessana' meant, I
>think it is used in several places to address the Nigghantha people,
>and I know that 'aggi' means fire, while 'vessana' has something to do
>with dwelling, doesn't it (just guessing here)?  Would this mean that
>they were fire worshippers too?  Or just that they are warm, living
>people?

I think Christine has had her question answered by Sakula on d-l. You're
quite right about 'aggi' having the meaning of fire, but it is more
difficult to find out the meaning of 'vessana'. It could have something to
do with dwelling. Aggivessana is a proper name derived from 'Aggivessa', I
think, with the addition of the patronymic affix 'aana' showing some kind of
successor or descendant relationship. For 'vessa' PED only gives: "a
Vai"sya, ie. a member of the third social (ie. lower) grade, a man of the
people" but more can be found out in a Sanskrit dictionary as follows:

ve"sya: 1. the habitation of harlots; 2. Ved. abode, residence
agnive"sa: N. of an ancient medical authority
agnive"sya: 1. N. of a teacher; 2. Name of the 22nd muhuurta

So perhaps a literal meaning of 'aggivessa' might be 'abode of fire' or
'Agni's abode' if we think of the fire god. Maybe a name for the sun?? But
this is only guessing.

Best wishes,
Jim


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